FASLANE, August 4 (RIA Novosti), Mark Hirst - A major accident involving nuclear warheads transported through the UK has only been averted thanks to luck, anti-nuclear campaigners and local government officials told RIA Novosti.
“We have seen a steady stream of incidents, many low level, but then one or two that have caused more concern," Peter Burt, research manager with the Nuclear Information Service (NIS), told RIA Novosti.
Between 2007 and 2012, the UK has seen some 70 safety incidents involving military convoys transporting nuclear warheads by road from the Royal Naval Armaments Depot at Coulport on the Clyde to maintenance facilities in Berkshire, England.
“A lot of these incidents seem to be related to poor maintenance, and we are concerned about the number of incidents which have occurred over the past five years,” Sean Morris, principal policy and research officer at the Nuclear Free Local Authorities Secretariat, told RIA Novosti.
“It has only been a matter of luck that potentially more serious problems did not occur that could have harmed staff in the convoy or even members of the public,” Morris said about the recent accident.
“We have been concerned for a long time that you have these very large convoys coming every five or six weeks through from Berkshire up to Faslane and there are many examples of things, which although might appear minor, could have easily developed into something far worse,” Morris added.
The figures released were obtained from the Ministry of Defence under Freedom of Information and show that a range of safety incidents has taken place, including due to brake malfunctions in carriers, fuel leaks and alarm systems malfunctions. One report highlighted a ‘fuse-box failure’ and ‘security system air leak’ on the heavy-duty nuclear warhead carrier.
The UK Ministry of Defence insisted the military convoys, which pass through some of the UK’s most densely populated areas, were safe.
“The safety of the public is our priority during any movements of our nuclear material, and we monitor all convoys closely. At no point has the public been put at risk and our nuclear convoys continue to operate safely accompanied at all times by military police,” the ministry said in a statement.
